Magnetic valve



Jan. s, 1942. w; H.' @ME 2,269,016

MAGNETIC VALVE Filed Nov. 13, 1939 fhwmtor Willis H. Gun

Ottomgg Patented Jaa 6, 1942Y MAGNETIC VALVE Willis H. Gille, St. Paul, Minn., assigner to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn.,l a corporation of Delaware Application November 13, 1939, Serial No. 304,093

Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic control and operation of electric valves and has more particularly as its object to provide means embodied in magnetic valves to prevent them from sticking in open position due to resiclual magnetism continuing to attract the core or armature after the valve has been deen'- ergized. t

Another object of my invention is to providej a magnetic valve having a lift winding and a drop-out winding in combination with a control arrangement whereby the drop-out coil is shunted for opening the valve.

Another' object is to provide a magnetic valve having series connected lift and drop-out Windings of such relative magnetic effect that the valve is opened'by the lift winding whenever the drop-out winding is shunted and the valve is closed whenever the shunt is. interrupted to cause current to flow in series' through the coils.

Another object is to provide a magnetic valve having lift and drop-out windings connected in series and afmanual opening device for power automatic control thereof.

Referring tol the drawing, a valve body is designated by the reference numeral I0 and comprises an inlet connection II and an outlet connection I2. the usual transverse partition I3 which is apertured to provide a valve seat therein. Cooperating with said valve seat is a valve 4 which is rigidly secured to a valve stem I5 by lsuitable means such as by being threaded thereto. Mounted on the valve body III is a solenoid valve ,actuating mechanism.

The solenoid actuating mechanism comprises coils I6 and 35. The coil 35 is located on a ilanged disc Il of magnetic material, which disc in turn is located upon a relatively thick circular plate I8. The latter plate I8 is supported by the valve housing I0 and it is secured thereto The valve body is provided with,

in fluid tight relation. The coll I8 is mounted 58 upon adisc 34 having a flanged opening through its central portion, the disc 34 serving to space or separate the coils I6 and 35. As will be described later in the specification, the coil I6 is a lift'coil for purposes of opening thevalve and the coil 35 is a drop-out coil the purpose of which is to cause positive closure ofthe valve to insure against sticking of the valve in open position.

Extending within the coils is a sleeve I9 of suitable non-magneticfmaterial such as brass. Secured within the upper end of the sleeve i9 is a sleeve Ztl-which is also of non-magnetic material preferably having good electrical conductivity such as copper. The sleeve ,20 is secured to the sleeve I3 by any suitable means to insure a fluid tight joint. Extending through the sleeve 2li is a pin 2| which is of magnetic material. This pin terminates in a head 22 which head is provided with a conical extremity '23.

A core or plunger of magnetic material 24 is loosely mounted within the sleeve I9 and is designed to be actuated in response toenergization and deenergization of the coils I6 and 35 as will be presently described. This core is connected to the valve stem I5 through a lost motion connection. This connection is formed by providing the core 24 with an elongated cylindrical passagev 25 in which is slidably located a cylindrical head 26 of valve. stem I5. The lower end of the passage 25 is closed by means of a plug 2l. Mounted upon, this plug is a spring 28, having its opposite end seated against the head 26. If the valve I4 is stuck to its seat when the solenoid is energized, the spring 28 permits the core 24 to move and gain momentum so that a considerable amount of kinetic'energy is available to break the valve loose when the spring is finally taken up. It should also be noted that, since the spring 28 holds the head 26 against the core 24 while the valve is open, a hammer action is obtained which insures the firm seating of the valve when it is closed.A

The upper e'nd ofthe solenoid core 24 is provided with a recess having two conical surfaces 28 and 38. The conical surface 30 is adapted to engage the conical surface 23 of pin 2I to limit the upward movement of the core. The conical surface 23 is adapted to cooperate with a similar conical 'surface 3| on member 20 inv such a` manner that the core is guided into engagement with stop 23. In order tovguard against any dash-'pot action a transverse passage 43 is provided in the core 24 which passage is in communication with a recess in the upper end of the .core. This is necessary because of the presthe patent to Cyr mentioned above, the patents of Willis H. Gille No. 2,114,961 and No. 2,181,423. Numeral 49 designates a terminal box formed as a part of the upper structure of the valve and to cool the windings of the coils I6 and 35 to prevent excessive heating thereof during prolonged operation.

On topof the coil I6 there is located a disc 32 of insulating material. Secured to said disc is a flanged disc 33 of magnetic material. Also located on said insulating plate is a second plate 31 of magnetic material. A circular armature 4I is secured to a switch blade 42 which switch blade carries an electrical contact 36 adapted to cooperate with a stationary contact 43 located upon theinsulating disc 32. The armature 4| serves to complete the magnetic path between magnetic members 33 and 31 upon energization of the coil |6. y The plate 31 has three inwardly extending projections (not shown) adjacent which the armature 4| will be attracted most strongly. This will result in a three-point holding action between each plate and the armaturewhich will lessen the danger of the armature being held unevenly so as to cause chattering or Vibration thereof. The details of construction of the magnetic plates 33 and 31 however,v do not form a part of the present invention. The details of construction of these plates are described more fully in the patent to Cyr 2,155,358. 1

By reason of the resilience of switch blade 42 to which the armature 4| is attached, the latter member is held in the position indicated in the drawing when the coil I6 is deenergized.

which houses a portion ofa manual operating means for the valve. The terminal box 49 is shown partly broken away. The manual operating means includes a shaft 50 journalled in a stud I which'is threaded into the valve body I0. Connected to the shaft is a cylindrical member 52 which has secured at its upper end a l knurled knob 53 designed to be manually rotated by the operator. The shaft 50 and the cylindrical member 52 are secured together by means of a rivet 54, although it is to be understood that any other suitable securing means can b e employed and if desired these two members can The disc |6 is provided with a cylindrical recess l is designed to cooperate with a conical shoulder f 46 at the lower end of the core 24.

It will be noted that' two possible magnetic paths are provided for the flow of ux upon energization of the coil I6. One of these paths is I through the disc |1, the casing 41 which is of magnetic material; the plate 31, the armature 4 I,

- the plate 33 and the core 24. The other of these paths is through disc I1, casing 41, plate 31', armature 4I, pin 2| and the core 24. Flux owing through the rst mentioned of these twopaths is not shaded while the flux flowing through position where further rotation of shaft 50 in a,

the second mentioned of these two paths is r -shaded by reason of the effect of the non-mag- `to center the core within the sleeve I9 and at the same time to yieldably urge the core downwardly so that upon deenergization of the coil I6 the spring disc functions as a means for returning the core to closed position of the valve. f

For a more complete description and operation of this portion of my valve reference is made to be integrally formed. 'I'he cylindrical member.

52 is enlarged at its lower extremity 55. This uenlarged portion 55 is provided with an opening 56 on its underside into which extends one terminal of a coil spring 51.. The other end of the spring extends into an opening 58 in the upper ency of the spring 51 to urge shaft 56 upwardly,

this conical head is yieldably urged into engagement with the edge of the opening in the underside of stud 5|.

The shaft 50 has attached at its lower end an arm 6I. Secured-to the arm 6I is a downwardly extending pin 62. This pin 62 is adapted to cooperate with a curved surface 63 of a core actuating member 64. The core actuating member 64 is pivotally mounted on a pin 65 through a pair of ears 66 as shown. The member 64 is provided at one end witha'downwardly extending portion which terminates in a fork 61, the fork straddling the valve stem and being vadapted upon turning of member 64 around pivot 65 in a counter-clockwise direction to engage the lower end of the core 24. The other end of member 64 consists of a flat strip which is normally'horizontally disposed v and which terminates in the portion 68 normally resting against the end of shaft 56. With the parts in their normal position the arm 6| is in a counter-clockwise--direction causes pin 62 to ride on th curved surface 63. When it is desired to -manually operate 'the valve, for instance when there is no electrical power available the shaft 50vis rotated in a counter-clockwise direction by means of the knurled knob 53 so that the pin\62 is caused to engage the curved surface 63 and to tilt the member 64 about the pivot 65. 'I'his causes the core 24 to be moved upwardly and the valve to be opened. In this position the pin 62 is engaging the fiat portion of strap 64, and by reason of the-weight of the core 24 restinggon the fork 61 the shaft 50 is held in that position against the action of spring 51, which as previously stated, tends to rotate the shaft in a clockwise direction. The' tendency of the weight of the core to hold the shaft 5 0 in position is increased by reason of the fact that in order for the shaft to be rotated back pin 62 must travel over a circular path a portion of which is closer to pivot 65 than the position occupied by pin 62 when the valve has been manually opened. Since the pin travels through a horizontal path it is accordingly necessary for the pin to press down the left hand portion of lever 84 and accordingly raise the core `Jstill Iurther in order tozraverse this circular path. The effect is that the pin is frictionally held ,at the bottom of an inclined surface over which it must travel to return to the normal position.

While the rotation of shaft 50 causes the core 24 to be' raised sufficiently to move the valve to open position the core is not raised as far as it is by reason of energization of coil I8. Accordingly as coil I6V is energized at the time that the shaft 50 is manually moved or if itis subsequently energized the frictional engagement of member 54 j zwhich position the member 84 in no way interferes with the normal function of the valve.

Secured to the terminal box 49 are terminals 14 and 16. Secured to the terminal 14 within the terminal box 49 is a contact carrying arm 11. Secured to the terminal 18 also within the terminal box 49 is a resilient switch blade 18 which carries contact 19 adapted to be moved into engagement with a contact. by the contact carrying arm 11. The blade 18 is resilient and by reason of such resiliency tends to move in a direction such as to cause engagement of contacts 19 and 80. When the valve actuating member is in its normal position this tendency of blade 18 to etl'ect the engagement of the contacts 19 and 80 is resisted by a stud 82 secured to the member 52 and having attached thereto a circular disc 83 which bears against the switch blade 18. Upon rotation of member 52 to open the valve manually disc 83 is rotatedA away from the switch bladeV I8 permitting the same to cause engagement of contacts 19 and 80.

As pointed out above, the coil I6 serves as a lift or opening coil and the coil 35 acts as a` drop out coil toinsure closure of the valve when itis desired that it should close. As will be\ presently pointed out, when the electrical connections are traced coils I6 and 35 are normally connected in series with a source of power when the valve is in closed position. The combined resistance of the two coils is such that when they are in series there is only a very small and negligible consumption of power. 'I'he current flow when the two coils are in series is of course very low. The coil 85 however has a greater number of turns of wire than the coil I4 has and the wire of coil 35 has greater resistance than that of coil I8. 'Ihus when the two coils are energized in sex-les coil 35 has a greater number of ampere turns than does coil I8 and as a result themagnetic effect of coil 35 preponderates over that r'of coil I8. Thus whenever the valve is in a closed position the coil 35 tends to maintain itclosed, the magnetic cen- 35 from the circuit through the coil I8 there is a )7 considerably greater flow of current through thev coil I8 so as to4 substantially increase its mag- 'netic eilect. While it is to be seen that there is valways rat least a small current flowing through-u lthe operation of the valve.

coil I8 the magnetic eilect of coil I6 only becomes appreciable when the coil 85 is shunted out of the circuit and thus when I speak of energizing the coil I6 for opening the valve I refer to completion of the circuit therethrough which does not include the coil 35.

Referring 'to the drawing, numeral 85 designates a thermostat of conventional type having electrical connections whereby the operation of the valve is normally automatically controlled. 'I'he thermostat 85 comprises a bimetallic element 86 to which are attached contact arms 81 and 83 engageable with xed electrical contacts 89 and 90, respectively. Blade 81 and contact 89 are less widely 'spaced than blade 88 and contact 90 so that upon movement of blade 81 in the direction of contact 89 engagement will be effected before the engagement of the blade 88 and contact 90. 'Ihe blades 81 and 88 move towards their respective contacts in response to a drop in temperature and blade 88 engages its respective contact at a temperature which may be 1 or 2 lower for example than the temperature at which blade 88 I engages contact 89.

.A step-down transformer 92 supplies power for This transformer comprises a line voltage primary 93 and a low voltage secondary 94. The primary 93 is connected to line conductors 95 and 96.

The valve may be employed to regulate the flow of gas or other fuel to a fluid fuel burner to heat a room or other `space. In such case the thermostat 85 is located in the space to be heated. As shown in the drawing the thermostat is in satisfied position, that is the position which it assumes when the temperature of the room is above the desired value. Under these conditions the valve is closed and the coils I5 and 35 are energized through th'e following circuit: from secondary 94 through wire |00, wire |0I, wire |02, coil 35, wire I 03, wire |04, coil I6 and wire |05 back to secondary 94. Upo'n the temperature Afalling the bimetallic element 80 will cause bladel 81 to move to the left into engagement with contact "89. The engagement of these elements however does not establish any circuit but if the A temperature continues to fall blade 88 will engage down in the direction of engagement with magnetic members 33 and 31 and causing the switch blade 42 tobring contact 35 into engagement with contact 43. Upon this taking place the following holding circuit for coil I6 is established: from secondary 94 through wire |00, wire III, wire |06, contact 89, blade 81, bimetallic element 85, wire IIO, contacts 43 and 36, blade 42, wire wire |09, wire |04, coil I6, and Wire |05 back to secondary 94. It will be noted that this holding circuit 1s independent of the engagement of blade 88 and contact 9u so that 1f the temperature should rise very shghtly so as to cause disengagement of blade 88 and contact 90, the solenoid coil I5 would not be deenergized because of the continuance of the maintaining circuit. Completion of the circuits just described shunting the coil 35 of course causesthe magnetic effect of coil 35 to be terminated.

Upon the energization of coil I6, core 24 will be moved upwardly and will cause the spring 28 to be compressed between the plug 2l and the head 28 of the valve stem I5. After a short period of time, this action will raise the valve from its seat.` Due to the fact that the core is allowed to travel a considerable distance before the' spring 28 is compressed enough to cause movement of the valve stem, the kinetic energy of the moving core will be effective to move the valve from its seat in the event it is stuck thereto. 'I'he core 24 will continue to move upwardly until the conical surface 30 engages'the head of the pin 2|. In this position of the core the shoulder 46 will engage the inturned edge of spring disc 44 in such a manner that the spring 44 will exert a slight tension on the core tending to pull it away from engagement with surface 23. As long as the coil I6 is energized this tendency is resisted by the holding action of the core but as previousi ly indicated is eiective to cause downward movement of the core upon deenergization of the coil I6. As previously indicated, the flux which is eiective on the core ows through twopaths, one of which is shaded and the-other of which is-not. In this manner, a more uniform holding action isA secured and chattering is avoided.

When the temperature rises suiciently so that` blades 8l and 88 disengage from contacts 89 and 98, the coil I6 will be deenergized, that is', the shunt circuit around coil 35 will be interrupted and due to the combined effects of gravity, the spring disc 44 and the magnetic effect of coil 35, the core 24 and valve I4 will be moved downwardly together so 'as to cause the valve I4 to be firmly seated. -It will be seen therefore that as soon as the shunt circuit is interrupted the two coils I5 and 35 are again energized in series. Under these conditions, as pointed out above, the magnetic eiect of coil I6 is negligible, the magnetic eiect of coil 35 preponderating and posi tively urging the core 24 downwardly to insure that the valve closes and does notv stick in open position. The magnetic effect of coil 35 tends to neutralize and overbalance the slight magnetic eiect of coil I6 when the coils are energized in series. It willl be seen therefore that I have provided al compactcoil arrangement which provides positive insurance against the valves sticking in open position and yet does not require that a pair of contacts be-made to Complete a circuit when it is desired that the valve be closed.

If for any reason there is a power failure as is often the case and it is desired to open the valve manually knurled knob 53 is rotated so as to cause rotation of shaft 58 and rotation of pin 62 on to the curved surface 63 on to the lever 64. As previously explained, this causes upward movement of the right-hand end of lever 64 causing the core to be moved upwardly so that the valve is` opened. Due to the fact that in its valve open position pin 62 is resting on a nat portion of lever 64 and the weight of the core is resting upon the right-hand end of lever 64, the pin 62 will be held frictionally on the lever against the action of the spring 51 which tends to return j the same to the normal inoperative position.

The rotation of knurled knob 53 and shaft V5l! in a. manner to open the valve causes the disc 83 to be rotated away from engagement` with the resilient switch blade' I8 so as to allow engagement of contacts 'I9 and 80. vEngagement of' these contacts results in the establishment of an 75 'energizing circuitfor coil I6 which does not extend through the coil 35, that is a shunt circuit for coil35. This circuit is as follows: from secondary 94 through wire I88,wire I I3,blade'I8,con tacts 'I9 and 80, contact arm TI, wire I I4, wire I 08, wire I09,wire I04,coil I5,and wire Iback to secondary 94. Since as previously stated the valve has been opened when there is no power available, this circuit will not be eective to energize coil I6 until the power is restored. As soon as power returns however, coil I6 will be energized causing core 24 to be lifted to its uppermost position and as previously explained pin 62 will be released' to permit the shaft 50 to rotate to its original position. As soon as the manual operator is thus released contacts 'I9 and 80 will be again separated and the circuit last described through the coil I6 will be interrupted, vthat is, the shunt circuit will be interrupted and the coils will again be energized in series. This will cause immediate closurev of the valve in the manner previously described. In this position the parts are as shown in the drawing and the manual operator 'is in no way interfering with the control of the coils. If at the time the power is restored the temperature is such that blades 81 and 88 are in engagement. with contacts 89 and 90, coil I6 will remain energized through the circuits already described and the valve will remain open. Thus it will be seen. that no matter what position the thermostat is in when power returns, if the valve has been manually opened the parts will immediately return to position for automatic control.

,From the foregoing it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have provided a novel improvement in the operation and control of magnetic valves whereby the diiiiculty of such valves sticking in vopen position is positively eliminated. The additional coil is very compact and the manner of its control is such that a preferred type of thermostat may be used and the use of additional switching or other equipment is made unnecessary.

While I have shown a specific embodiment of my invention it will be understood that this is for purposes of illustration only and that my invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a magnetically operated valve, in combination, a pull in coil and a drop out coil` connected in series, control means comprising electrical connections for shunting the drop out coil to increase the energization of the pull in coil` for opening the valve, said coils having such relative magnetic effect that when connected'iny series the drop out coil operates the valve to closed position, said control means including a thermostat having contacts which close at a predetermined temperature whereby a circuit is produced through said electrical connections shunting said drop out coil, and manually operable v'means for releasably latching said valve in a position near full open when power fails, said last means including contacts which are closed and which complete a shunt circuit around said drop out coil when said valve is latched in said position, whereby whenpower is resumed said pull in coil is energized opening said valve wide open, said manually operable means releasing whereby said shunt circuit is interrupted causing closure of the valve. y

2. In a magnetically voperated device, in combination,y an armature operatively connected to 2,269,016 said device, a pair of coils having unequal and opposing magnetic fields for operating said armature, a source of energy, means connecting said coils in series to said source so that the coil having the stronger field determines the armature position, means responsive to a condition indicative of the need for operation of "said device, a pair oi switches sequentially closable by said condition responsive means upon a unidirectional change in said condition, a first circuit for shunting said stronger coil so that the coil having the weaker field determines the amature position, said first circuit including both said switches in series, a third switch operable upon increased energization of said weaker coil due to shunting of said stronger coil, and a second circuit for shunting said stronger coil including the first of said pair of switches to close and said third switch in series.

3. In a magnetically operated device, in combination, an armature operatively connected to said device, a pair of coils having unequal and opposing magnetic fields for operating said armature, a source of energy, means connecting said coils in series to said source so that the coil having the stronger field determines the armature position, means responsive to a condition indicative of the need for operation of said device,

* a -pair of switches sequentially closable by said condition responsive means upon a unidirectional change in said condition, a first circuit for shunting said stronger coil so that the coil having the weaker field determines the armature position, said first circuit including both said switches in series, a third switch operable upon increased energizaton of said weaker coil due to shunting of said stronger coil, a second circuit for `shunting saids stronger coil including the first to close of said pair oi switches and said third switch in series, a fourth switch, means manually operable to close said switch and simultaneously move said armature to an intermediate position when said c oils are deenergized, latch means for holding said switch in closed position, connections between said armature and said latch means for tripping said latch means when said armature is moved to said second position, and a third circuit i for shunting said stronger coil including said fourth switch.

4. A thermostatically controlled valve, comprising in combination, an armature operatively connected to said valve, a pair of coils having unequal and opposing magnetic fields for operating said amature, means connecting said coils in series so that the coil having the stronger field holds the armature in a position such as to maintain the valve closed, means responsive to a condition indicative of the need for operation of said valve, a pair of switches sequentially closable by said condition responsive means upon unidirectional change in said condition, a first connection for short-circuiting said stronger coil so that the coilhaving the weaker field becomes effective to move the valve toward open position, saidv first connection including both said switches in series, a third switch closable in response to increased energlzation of said weaker coil due to shortcircuiting of said stronger coil, and a second connection for short-circuiting said stronger coil including the first to close of said pair of switches and said third switch in series.

5. In a devicev magnetically operable between a first safe position and a second active position, in combination, an armature operatively connected to said device, a pair of coils for operatlus , switch means in said connection for selectivelyl ing said armature, stop means of magnetic material for engaging said armature when said device is moved to its active position, one of said coils having a greater number of turns than the other and positioned with respect to said armature so as to operate it in the direction of said safe position, said other coil being positioned so as to operate said armature in the direction of said active position, a source of energy, a single circuit for causing operation of said device to safe position, said circuit connecting said coils in Iseries to said source so that said one coil controls the armature, a circuit for causing operation of said device to active position including a connection for shunting said one coil so that said other coil controls the armature, and

controlling the now of current in said circuits.

6. In combination, a valve mounted for movement in a substantially vertical direction, a stem attached to said valve for operating it between an upward open position and a downward closed coil being positioned so as to operate said armature in valve opening direction, stop means of magnetic material for limiting movementof said armature in valve opening direction, a source of energy, a single circuit connecting both said coils in series with said source so that said one coil operates said valve to closed position, and a connection including switch means for shunting said l one coil so that said other coil controls the armature and thereby operates said valve to open position, said switch means being operable to open and close said connection and thereby cause closure and opening, respectively, of said valve.

'7. In a valve operable between open and closed positions, in combination, an armature operatively connected to said valve, a pair of coils for operating said armature, one of said coils having a greater number of turnsthan the other, said one coil being positioned so as to operate said armature to close said valve, said other coil being positioned so as to operate said armature to open said valve, a source of electrical energy, a circuit connecting said coils and said source in series so that thesame current iiows through both coils, thereby causing said one coil to predominate over said other coil and close said valve, and a connection shunting said one coil including switch means, said connection when completed eiectively deenergizing said one coil so that said other coil opens said valve, said switch means being operable by opening and closure thereof to vselectively control the operation of said valve a circuit connecting said coils and said source in series so that the same current flows through both coils, thereby causing said one coil to predominate over said other coil and close said valve, i

an armature for actuating the valve, a pull in coil and a drop out coil operatively associated with said armature and connected in series, control means comprising an electrical connection for shunting the drop out coil toincrease the energization of the pull in coil for opening the valve, said coils having such relative magnetic eiect that when connected in series the drop out coil operates the valve to 'closed position, said control means including thermostatic means movable in response to a condition indicative of the necessity for supplying said heating iluid, and switch means in said connection and controlled by said thermostat so as to complete said connection when said thermostat calls Afor a supply of fluidand to open said connection when said thermostat calls for discontinuance of said Supply- 10. In a magnetically operated valve, a first winding, a second winding, armature means associated with said windings and connected to said valve for operating said valve between open and closed positions, said armature means having its magnetic center so arranged with respect to said windings that the effect of said rst winding urges said armature means in opening direction of the valve and the effect of said second winding urges said armature means in closing direction of the valve, means for energizing both windings, means for connecting said windings in series, said windings having such relative magnetic strength that the effect of said second winding preponderates when said windingsl are connected in series, and an electrical connection including switch means for shunting said second` Winding, said switch means operating when closed to complete said connection and thereby render said first winding eiective, to open said valve, said switch means operating 'when opened to break said connection, thereby connecting said windings in series and rendering said second winding effective to close said valve.

WILLIS H. GILLE. 

